The program for Short+Sweet Theatre Canberra 2016 is now available:
Top 20 Week 1
The Ice Age written by Sue Clennell directed by Erin Foote
Featuring: Kate Rankine and Dairinn Bannister
What time is it? Is it time for him to come? An innocent conversation turns into a violent and alarming one. It beckons the terrifying idea that perhaps an Ice Age is safer than the current circumstances that face their reality.
Fighting Mr Right written by Barbara Lindsay directed by Daniel Berthon
Featuring: Christopher Ritchie and Kate O'Sullivan
After a great first date, a young man learns there are rules to follow if he wants to get to second base, or even to a second date.
Waiting For Go written by Elspeth Tilley and directed by Ben Harris
Featuring: Samuel Bruce and Ben Harris
If the purpose of art is to make us pause and see the world differently, what is the purpose of the roadworkers who have been stationed outside your front gate for eight weeks now?
Mime of Steel by Child Players ACT directed by Kitty Malam and Nick Anyos
Featuring: Oliver Durbridge, Katie Golding, Zoe Swan, Asheligh Butler, Emily Joe, Emily Pogson, Katie Kavanagh, Chido Nyakuengama and Natasha Brittain
Rivalry between two mimes turns them into a super hero and a super villain.
Bread by Lombard Shenanigans written and directed by John Lombard
Featuring: Michaela Ripper, Brenton Andrew and John Lombard
A lesson on the right way to make bread — with love.
Sex by NewEx Collective written and directed by Cara Irvine and Brendan Kelly
Featuring: Cara Irvine and Brendan Kelly
Sex connects us, its breaks us. Sex envelops us, it blinds us. Sex entices us, it manipulates us. Sex changes us.
Red Wire, Blue Wire written by Albert Jamae directed by Arne Sjostedt
Featuring: Olivia Hropic, Luke Atchison and Nick Steain
Trish has a bomb tied to her with ten minutes left on the clock. Marty from the bomb disposal unit attempts to disarm it, but all Trish can do is complain about the coffee.
Slow Dating by Footprint Theatre Inc. written by Adam Szudrich directed by Lis Shelley
Featuring Penelope Hunt
An elderly woman spends the night with a charming stranger and finally realises the heartbreaking decision she must make.
The Etiquette of Hugs by GriffinSaid written and directed by Laura Griffin
Featuring: Michaela Ripper, Ben Crowley and Lucy Hutchens
Ava and Lilly meet in a toilet line at 2am. Ava needs to chat to distract herself from peeing. Lilly is good at humouring people. This little chance encounter leads to deeper discussions of how we’re more connected than ever and yet, so lonely.
It’s All the Rage written by Carl J. Sorheim directed by Chris Baldock
Featuring Nick Steain
Alex is 22. He’s a pretty good skateboarder. He wears hoodies. They’re all the rage. He likes this waitress. Deep brown eyes. The way she pushes her glasses up her nose. He’s pretty sure she hasn’t noticed him watching…
Top 20 Week 2
The Lighting Was Wonderful written by Harriet Elvin directed by Lynn Petersen
Featuring: Laura Griffin, Nick Steain, Heidi Silberman, Benjamin Crowley and Anne Murn
Those who can write, write.
Those who can act, act.
Those who can't, criticise.
Stargazers by Blemish Productions written by Greg Gould directed by Arne Sjostedt
Featuring: Austen Sanders, Jaslyn Mairs and Peter Fock
Two teenagers, Denny and Becky, are enjoying a romantic evening under the stars when they are rudely interrupted by Denny’s father, the nutty professor Dr Ludwig. Now Denny has a decision to make; a decision that could be out of this world.
The Key by UpForIt Theatre Company written by Pete Malicki directed by Tom Richards
Featuring: Jay Duncan
A man wants to surprise his ‘girlfriend’ with a special meal. Oh she is surprised alright.
Floss written by John Tillbrook directed by Paul Jackson
Featuring: Christine D’Rozario, Daniel Greiss and Felicity Knott
Love is a tender flower. Can it survive a clash with an elemental force such as lust.
The Lady and ‘The Tyger’, or William Blake's 'How I Met Your Mother' written by Trace Crawford directed by Christopher Samuel Carroll
Featuring: Linda Chen and Russell Nash
Skip the small-talk. Finding a connection of true spirits demands risk: to pounce like a tiger, to dare to seize the fire – or more practically speaking, to create a public spectacle on a park bench. A cautionary tale about reading poetry in public, and an ode to the strangeness of strangers.
Brexit by Budding Theatre written and directed by Kirsty Budding
Featuring: Amelia Green, Adele Lewin, Kaivu Suvarna and Michael Ubrihien
An argument at a bus stop on the day of the EU Referendum exposes class warfare and personal tragedy…
Always the Bridesmaid by E13 Productions written and directed by Nigel Palfreman
Featuring: Jessica Gowing
Vicky walks home the morning after the night before and contemplates her life.
War/Kiss written by Alex Broun directed by Lynn Petersen
Featuring: Katrin Praseli and Samuel Bruce
In one moment everything can be found, or lost, in a kiss.
Helpless written and directed by Dan Holliday
Featuring: Dan Holliday
The anguish and ache of guilt unforgiven, and the hope and freedom of guilt released. The play is underpinned emotionally and supported dramatically by the Neil Young song ‘Helpless’.
Staying Alive by St Edmund’s College written by Patrick Mortlock directed by Bertram O'Brien
Featuring: Bertram O’Brien, Patrick Mortlock, Callum Brown, Austen Sanders, James Rainey, Lachlan Bellas and Tom Stonehouse
The incompetence of these medical professionals can be matched only by the incompetence of the performers playing them.
Wildcards
Cat by Child Players ACT directed by Kitty Malam and Nick Anyos
Featuring: Ben Hardy, Chloe Halley and Nick Watson
Amid reports of a missing fox socks, hospitalised elephants hearing imaginary voices and dodgy green eggs and ham a Cat arrives at the home of two bored kids.
The Assignment written by Greg Gould directed by Philip Meddows
Featuring: Dec Hastings, Judith Peterson and Marié Strazdins
3 University students battle the war of procrastination with the hope of handing in an assignment at the last minute.
Just Another Day by Drama Stars Academy written by Larry Larkin directed by Donna Larkin
Featuring Kieren Larkin, Katy Larkin, Anthony Popov and Cameron Butler
The play is set in the dining room of a typical modern day family with two online teenage children, a hard working mother and a slightly embarrassing father.
What is it now, Brain? by Lombard Shenanigans written and directed by John Lombard
Featuring: Brendan Kelly, Morgan Heath-Williams and Michaela Ripper
A guy is on a date with a girl and he forgets her name. His brain offers to tell him, but only if he orders an ice cream. This sets off a hostage situation where his brain makes a series of escalating demands and he has to try to appear normal so he doesn't scare off the girl.
A Very Brief Encounter written by Suzy Wilds and directed by Ben Harris
Featuring: Rachel Hogan and Helen Way
One airport, two women meet, an unexpected reunion.
Keep Calm and Panic by Rebus Theatre directed by Robin Davidson
Featuring: Ben Drysdale and Cara Jean
Curious and comical cameos of coping.
The Bridge written by Jayaprakash Kulur directed by Sreejith Gangadharan
Featuring: Sreejith Gangadharan and Nithin Balakrishnan
A chance encounter of two strangers at a bridge progresses into an eventful journey, where the privileged is disempowered.
The Supermarket by AllyCat Productions written by Chris Naylor directed by Arne Sjostedt
Featuring: Peter Fock and Judith Peterson
Peter doesn’t like going shopping and will make any excuse not to, in his imagination, such as having been attacked by a herd of buffalo or being held hostage on the planet Zirkon. But to no avail. Abbey enlists him on a shopping expedition that turns into a bit of a nightmare.